I Bring Unto You Tidings of Great Joy



St Luke, Chapter 2
2:1 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.

2:2 And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.

2:3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

2:4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David)

2:5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

2:6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

2:7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

2:8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

2:9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

2:10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

2:11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

2:12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

2:13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

2:14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

2:15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

2:16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
*******


O come all ye faithful,
Joyful, and triumphant,
O come ye, O come ye
To Bethlehem!
Come and behold Him
Born the King of angels!

O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
Christ the Lord!

Today as we who are Christians celebrate the birth of our Savior, I can't help but think of the millions of poor, broken, and lonely (for many whom there is no room for them in the inn). These are the people that God has instructed us to reach out to. To spread the message of hope and salvation.
As my heart aches for each of these, I find that I still feel gladness and joy. For I have been blessed with the joy of knowing each and every one of you who finds the time in your busy lives to visit my little place on the world wide web. You have made me laugh, you have made me cry but most of all you have made me a part of something greater than any one of us alone. Thank you all so very much for the joy and happiness you have brought into my life.
Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanza or the Winter Solstice, my wish for each of you is that God may bless you with peace, comfort and joy, this holiday season and throughout the coming year.
posted by wanda at 4:25 PM

Senate Approves Patriot Act Extension, Kills Alaska Drilling
and a Merry Christmas to you Mr President


"This day is something of a turning point certainly in this Congress and maybe in future Congresses," said Senator Charles Schumer, a New York Democrat. "I think we basically had three home runs today."

No oil drilling in Alaska, and having to agree to an extension on his Patriot Act (after he SWORE he wouldn't extend it).
Gosh but Gdubya is certainly having a hard time getting his 'expectations' met these days. Don't you just know he's stomping his feet and having one hell of a temper tantrum?

My Christmas wish is that it only gets worse for him (and his band of merry men rich, good ole white boys) in 06!

Merry Christmas
to all and to all a good night!
posted by wanda at 12:05 AM

Compassionate Conservatism?
talk about somebody stealing Christmas

I wonder as Bill O'Reilly and John Gibson continue their tirade about Christmas being stolen, if they think about the millions of families for whom Christmas is a nightmare of unmet expectations and denial of the basice simple human needs? Of course not. Because for people like O'Reilly and Gibson, Christmas isn't about celebrating the birth of the Christ child, or helping the poor, the young and the elderly. No,it's all about making people say "Merry Christmas", whether they want to or not. It's all about wielding their power and influence to force retailers to spew out those two words, despite the fact that a good many of holiday shoppers are NOT of the Christian faith. Not that there's anything wrong with wishing someone a "Merry Christmas", but it should be a personal choice, not one forced on people everywhere.
Do O'Reilly and Gibson really care about who's really stealing Christmas and from whom it's really being stolen? I doubt it. Because if they did, they'd be raising hell over this...
House approves $39.7 billion spending cuts
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The House of Representatives on Monday narrowly voted to cut $39.7 billion from federal spending over five years, including health care and other social welfare, as part of a conservative push to contain these growing programs.
By a vote of 212-206, the House, at the end of a rare overnight session, approved the spending cuts, which were opposed by Democrats.
Democrats criticized spending cuts to student loans, child care and other programs. Rep. John Spratt of South Carolina, the senior Budget Committee Democrat, complained that Republicans were negotiating last-minute deals to help medical equipment manufacturers and suppliers, while maintaining reductions in some programs for the poor.

Rep. Chet Edwards , a Texas Democrat, said, "This bill under the Republican leadership makes Scrooge look like a philanthropist."

A large chunk of the spending cuts, about $11.2 billion over five years, would come from Medicare and Medicaid, the health-care programs for the elderly and poor.

The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, a liberal-leaning economic analysis group, said the bill would raise co-payments for many Medicaid beneficiaries, as well as the premiums they can be charged to enroll in Medicaid in the first place.

Additional savings would come in student loan programs, which Massachusetts Sen. Edward Kennedy , a Democrat, called "the biggest cuts to student aid programs ever."

Democrats argued that the spending cuts were falling disproportionately on the poor as Republicans also were pushing through Congress tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans.
*******

It seems to me the real Grinches here are the Republicans who are giving the nations poor and elderly a lump of coal in their stockings for Christmas this year.
Then again there's really nothing new about that is there? After all it's what the party of compassionate conservatives have been doing for years. Robbing the poor and giving to the wealthy. In all fairness I have to admit, conservatives are compassionate. At least for those of their own social and financial classes.

And a Merry [freaking]Christmas every *#@!&^*%$**&^&%$#@ Congressman/woman who voted 'yae' on this budget bill. May God see that each of you receives exactly what you deserve this Christmas.
posted by wanda at 1:04 PM